Detention system to return in Classes V & VIII

Kolkata: The state Education department has got the approval of Nabanna in bringing back detention system in Classes V and VIII in schools, from the beginning of the new academic session in January 2020.

"We will soon come out with a notification and the work for framing the guidelines under the new system is in its last stages," a senior official of the state Education department said. The official said that there will likely be three examinations for assessment of the students and the marks will be calculated on the basis of his/her performance in the three examinations.

If somebody fails to secure pass marks, the yardstick for which will be finalised soon, he/she will have to clear another examination which will be conducted after two months. The state government may arrange for guiding the student in this two month period.

A source in the Education department said that the final examination is likely to be held in November and a candidate's marks in all the three examinations will be tallied. If a student fails in three subjects, he/she may be deemed as failed.

It may be mentioned that the state Education minister Partha Chatterjee has made it clear over a year ago that the state government is in favour of bringing back the pass-fail system in state schools.

The Education department had formed a five-member committee for framing the modalities in bringing back detention system in state schools. The matter was discussed with educationists and finally a decision was taken to bring back detention in Classes V and VIII.

At present, students are not detained in any class right from Classes I to VIII. It may be mentioned that the five-member committee has recommended to the department that a teacher will be held responsible if a student fails in three or more than three subjects and a reply will be sought from the teachers of the subjects in which the student fails.

It has also suggested vigil on the part of the Education department to curb the tendency of private coaching among the teachers.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development had left it upon the states to decide whether they would bring back detention system or continue with no detention. Most of the states including Bengal are bringing the system back.

"We welcome the government's decision in bringing back detention in Classes V and VIII. We will be happier if the same system is introduced from Class I itself," said Biswajit Mitra, general secretary of Madhyamik Sikshak O Sikshakarmi Samity.